The Re-skilling Revolution: Preparing for the Future of Work with Andrew Temte

Strategy and Leadership Podcast

Dr. Andrew Temte, CFA, is the former CEO of Kaplan Professional, author of two books: Balancing Act: Teach, Coach, Mentor, Inspire, and The Balanced Business: Building Organizational Trust and Accountability through Smooth Workflows, and host of The Balancing Act podcast.

A thought leader on issues related to organizational health, continuous improvement, and workforce reskilling, his articles have appeared in a number of media outlets. A blend of higher education and professional education experience gives Dr. Temte a unique perspective over the issues surrounding the future of employment and workplace relevance.

About the Guest(s):

Andrew Temte is an accomplished professional with an intriguing background that belies conventional career trajectories. Having left high school in the 11th grade, he serves as a testament to the belief that one's early missteps do not define their future success. Pursuing a passion for music and education, Andrew went on to earn a PhD in finance from the University of Iowa. He's a musician, a former CEO at Kaplan Professional, a frontrunner in alternative educational pathways, and the founder of Skills Owl LLC. Andrew is also the author of "Balancing Act" and "The Balanced Business," and leads a musical life as the frontman of the band The Remainders.

Episode Summary:

In this enlightening episode of the Strategy and Leadership podcast, host Anthony Taylor engages in a deep dive with Andrew Temte, exploring the intersections of education, skills development, and leadership. Offering a quick snapshot of Andrew's unique journey from high school dropout to a PhD-educated professional, this episode delves into the importance of continuous learning and adaptability in a rapidly evolving workforce landscape.

Andrew discusses the critical shift in skill demand from technical to more human-centric, emphasizing the imperative for leaders and workers alike to embrace and refine their emotional intelligence. As companies face a global reskilling challenge, bolstering human skills, which Andrew refers to as compassionate leadership, has become more vital than ever. He also sheds light on organizational responsibilities, advocating for a dynamic approach to performance reviews, which should pivot to skill mapping and strategizing learning paths for employees.

Key Takeaways:

• Lifelong learning and persistent curiosity are essential for thriving in the future of work.
• Organizations need to transition from traditional performance reviews to continuous skill evaluations tied to strategic goals.
• Developing human skills, or "human skill" as Andrew prefers to call them, is paramount in an AI-driven workplace.
• Certification and credentials remain important for career mobility, but learning on the job should be acknowledged and transferable.
• Balancing professional growth with personal passions, such as music, can lead to a more fulfilled and successful life.

Notable Quotes:

1. "Your failures do not define you. As long as we're learning from them and continuing to move forward."
2. "The future of work will require much less technical training… we have to bring to the world of work but our human selves."
3. "Once you start to coast, the world is going to plow you over."
4. "Leaders and managers should be sitting down with their people and saying… 'Here's the gap between your current skill set and what you are going to need…'"
5. "If you're a leader…and you gave up music 15 years ago to be a leader, please pick it back up… You'll just be amazed at the doors of your mind that open up."

Resources:

• Andrew Temte's website: andrewtemte.com
• Books: "Balancing Act" and "The Balanced Business" available on Amazon and other booksellers.
• Band: The Remainders (no specific reference link provided)

Engage with the full discussion for a treasure trove of insights on how to navigate the changing tides of work, leadership, and learning. Stay tuned for more episodes that promise to enlighten and inspire your leadership journey.